The odds aren't great that Boldin will become a Pro Bowl receiver in 2012. During the past two offseasons -- even during the lockout -- Flacco and Boldin spent time throwing around the ball in an attempt to improve chemistry. The addition of Boldin hasn't worked as planned. Boldin isn't a fast receiver and doesn't get great separation. Flacco has seemed hesitant to throw into tight windows for Boldin. In his five seasons before joining the Ravens, Boldin never caught fewer than 71 passes. In his two seasons with the Ravens, he hasn't caught more than 64.”

“Rice already won the "NFL Blitz" cover vote earlier this year, so if Rice wins the "Madden 13" cover, he will be the first player to appear on the cover of two EA Sports games in the same year. Then again, Rice told me recently that he has started to believe in the "Madden" curse: "I might have to become a believer now in the 'Madden' Curse after I've seen what happened this year [with Peyton Hillis]," said Rice. "I never used to believe, but now I don't know what to think."

The Ravens lost a longtime reliable cog in Jarret Johnson this week. Ray Lewis isn’t getting any younger, either. It’s time to upgrade at the linebacker spot. If Hightower — the third-rated inside linebacker talent on my board — is available, they should go ahead and grab him.

* Despite several losses in free agency, 105.7 The Fan's Bob Haynie says the Ravens will be fine.

Of course, because of these events, some Ravens’ fans have already begun pushing the panic button and are bracing themselves for a fourth-place finish in the AFC North. I think it’s a little too early to judge this offseason as a failure and dismiss the defending division champs as also-rans.